Non-Gamers React to The Last of Us 1x2: Infected [Blind Reaction]

[@HeroesReforged]

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[@ssuaswgamer]

What laptop and gear are you guys using for the stream setup?

[@HeroesReforged]

@@ssuaswgamer Peep the description for links.

[@Blinkerzz]

Hey just wanted to let you know something, the clickers arent CGI. There actually played by die hard fans of the game and I say they did a hell pf a job at doing it.

[@dababa85]

"Can't you find a fucking boat?" "inside the library, Hector?" I just DIED. Hahah

[@belordo00]

NOTE: The clickers in the museum are not CGI. All prosthetic. They did an amazing job recreating the clickers.

[@HeroesReforged]

Read this as "the chickens in the museum..."

[@brittanyhoward1741]

I think that the cold opening with the expert is by far the scariest thing in the entire episode. Like, do you have any idea how scary it would be if the an expert--a person who's dedicated *years* of their lives to studying--looks you dead in the eye and tells you that the only viable solution you have to stopping this virus is to bomb the shit out of the entire city???

[@zacharyjackson1829]

I love how they handled that cold opening. Like yeah who would be surprised if the military officer gave the order to do it based on their own idea but when the civilian doctor tells you to do it, and she doesn't try to exclude herself from that order... yeah you know yall are done for

[@moondawwg]

They should've done that with Wuhan on day one.

[@DFTNSHEXGRM]

@@moondawwg No, Covid isn’t an extinction level threat. Her telling them to bomb the city and everyone in it was to reinforce the gravity of this fungus infection.. With 14 people on the loose, plus the fugus in the worldwide grain supply, it’s game over before they even figured out there was a problem.

[@moondawwg]

@@DFTNSHEXGRM Nah, bomb China anyway, virus or no virus.

[@malcolmmorin]

​@@moondawwg Covid doesn't turn people into fungus spewing monsters.

[@Nelson-lm5ik]

The actress in the opening is Christine Hakim. Shes a veteran actress from Indonesia. She serves incredible performance here

[@dlweiss]

I suspect that living through the COVID pandemic probably helps make this show seem even MORE believable and relatable, because we all know from experience just how quickly a potent illness can spread - and how tricky it can be to get it back under control once that's happened.

[@Parenegade]

Also how quickly it gets "political". Or how conspiracies jump up and shit.

[@WheresWaldo05]

And no this hasn't changed anything. Keep believing the political narrative given to ya. Tens of thousands dying from basic whatevers changes on death report as covid death to make it seem worse than it was. Still havent gotten it. I dont think it exists. Which makes the small percent even smaller when you takw away all the fake death reports.

[@kevinlowe6713]

Truth

[@86leewis]

@@megasauruss I doubt you could spare any from your ass, would diminish your personality entirely

[@RitwiK15]

Couldn't agree more man

[@BenyaminLorit]

"She's about to drop some truth bombs." Lmao at that timing

[@unoriginalbri]

literally was gonna say that😭

[@unoriginalbri]

literally was gonna say that😭

[@crisssidk]

Anna Torv told in an interview that the fungus of the clickers, their movements and the sounds they make are all practical and done by the make-up team and the actors themselves

[@EchaAnggara]

that scientist, its Christine hakim, she is an indonesian acting legend, !! shes the indonesian equivalent of meryl streep

[@ryancooke8429]

The craziest detail I noticed was that the actors never ate anything with flour in the first episode. It spread through the flour from the flour mill in Indonesia. (No pancake mix, didn't eat cookies because they were raisin, no biscuits because of the atkins diet, etc) The doctor mentioned it was the perfect substrate in this episode!

[@JwanCortez]

He forgot to buy the cake too! That's awesome

[@sproutyoon6128]

right!!! all the information from the beginning of the episode plus the luck that they had in the first episode in missing all those chances to get infected to help put it all together is SO COOL

[@Gruvmpy]

@@JwanCortez And the neighbours were eating biscuits the morning of the infection

[@australianwi-fi]

Joel wasn't actually on the atkins diet, he was bullshitting to get out of spending time with his neighbours lol

[@ryancooke8429]

@@australianwi-fi yes but regardless avoided the flower

[@claumax]

Those clickers were not CGI at all, they made them so good, I bet the actors were actually pretty scared when they saw them for the first time

[@vordt4139]

Apparently the clicker actors are extreme fans of the games, they most likely know how they move and act to a pin-point degree.

[@imadeamistak4905]

a little less scary when you learn the actors had to have their hands held on set to navigate them bc they couldnt see well bc of the fungus haha. they did an awesome job but thought that was a cute behind the scenes detail

[@annson24]

@@vordt4139 i heard the clicker actors were actually the ones who did the mocap of the clickers in the game.

[@terithetacticalunicorn6003]

The Clickers (all of the ones in the show) Are made up of MoCap actors from the game, used to moving that way, and they're fans who have played the games quite a bit. Neil wanted people who loved the games as much as he did. That's also why so many of the games voice actors are in the show.

[@Kinobambino]

@@terithetacticalunicorn6003 dooooope

[@wizarddragon]

How Joel handled the Clicker situation is exactly how I handled my first couple of clickers in the game. lol

[@sleepywalker87]

It’s better than some others (and me), killed without hesitation

[@gabrielebello1190]

But Joel had a assault rifle

[@user-sr9qe2zl9w]

I loved how they subvert horror tropes. Long build up. No cliche jump scares. Reloading the gun was slow and intense. The hotel lobby noise didn't set anything off. Joel was both scared and determined at once.

[@rja8907]

Hector comes in with the jump scare like a young Michael Myers, Scaring Adam the Horror movie watching Veteran. It looks like the student has finally become the master.

[@W0NK042]

This is the way.

[@JayRutley]

And Augustin doesn't even react heh

[@RPG_Angie]

I love that he also scared himself, though. You can see his secondary jump at 10:36 and then he admits it.

[@northwind2538]

Joel and Tess' immediate fear upon realizing there could be clickers there translates so well that it truly makes viewers fear them just as much.

[@ravenblack3474]

I just realize when Joel and Tess deciding to go through the Museum, it's just like Gandalf deciding to go through the mines of Moria. That part of the roof collapsing behind them when they enter that large room trapping them inside is just like what happened when the Fellowship enters Moria. And in both these shows they loose a party member before they leave the area.

[@alanguillermo3145]

There's something special about this episode being directed by Neil Druckmann. It's only fitting that the creative director of the game introduces us to Clickers in live action as well. He did a great job!

[@Keitek]

The amount of detail that went into this show is absolutely insane and it's all totally worth it. Well done to the production crew they are nailing it.

[@aaronroibeard]

Facts

[@SunKiss3r]

A nice detail I love is in the first ep the radio talks about riots and violence in Jakarta and Jakarta has one of the largest flour mills. This episode its said that the flour mill is a perfect environment for the Cordecyps. In the first episode, they have no flour for pancakes, they didn't take the biscuits offered to them, Sarah didn't eat the raisin muffins and Joel forgot to get a birthday cake. All stuff that would have flour in them. 4 close calls with a potential infection and it's all in the background

[@Reece_Hart]

I think the clickers might actually be scarier in the show then the game. Also I couldn't help but notice the little detail of the SARS sign at the start of the episode in the hospital they took the expert to which was a big thing in 2003. Seriously there's so many small things the show has done so far that just add to the realism it's trying to portray.

[@canadianrage5224]

Clickers are definitely scarier in the show. Think the main reason for that is cuz they’re way harder to kill.

[@PsychoSpiral]

Well in the game, you get to do first aid while being slapped around.

[@robertbaldwin5636]

" Inside a library Hector " has had me dying all day 🤣

[@Uchihafan25]

They did a phenomenal job with the Clickers in this adaptation. Great reaction as always.

[@vickyy518]

I am so thrilled to watch yall's reactions to this series as blind viewers of the story. It's truly a joy to witness someone experiencing it for the first time, and here's hoping you look into the game after this series ends too ^-^

[@suptandarsaefulakbar1032]

They trying to deepening the lore with that Indonesia scene and somewhat explain why the soldier/FEDRA agent are giving order to kill any civilian like Joel and Sarah who's wondering inside the infected zone. But I suspected they (the government) failed to notice that the fungi also contaminated the food (flour), so despite their extreme approach the infection can't be stop.

[@bpowick]

I love the live action interpretation of the ‘clickers’. The sound design and look were pretty much identical to the game. I felt that same tension in my gut hearing them as I did while playing the game! It’s also pretty cool that Neil Druckman, the creative director of the game, directed this episode. I think he gave us a really solid hour of television.

[@MickeyValenz]

They filmed many scenes in my city and surrounding towns (Alberta Canada). It's surreal seeing what the set designers, makeup, and visual effects artists achieved. The production value deserves way more praise.

[@alex455a]

It's not CGI with the head-piece it's an actual prosthetic done by the same man who created prosthetic effects for Chernobyl tv series.

[@SlayInnit]

When Hector said "She's about to drop some truth bombs..." The face I made before checking the comments!

[@SlayInnit]

And then Adam... "Make out with me". I'm dead from these xD

[@michaelwolf8690]

We are traumatized by the fear of Covid. It will ever change how we look at a viral outbreak in movies and TV. You guys felt it in the first episode when they were talking about viruses on the talk show. It was scarier than if they were talking about zombies, because we all have a direct experience with a pandemic now.

[@TheKnightofWands]

16:28 they filmed most of this episode in Edmonton Alberta, I got some AWESOME pictures of the sets during 2021

[@lalocorgan]

Love your visceral reactions to the clickers and the tension you showed by keeping quiet along with Joel, Ellie and Tess. That's exactly how we all felt playing TLOU back in 2013. I even unconsciously held my breath again watching the museum scene.

[@Aussie27Legend]

Hector about to risk it all for an infected girl haha I died.

[@childofbacchus]

The Inside The Episode for ep2 shows off the Clicker prosthetics. They’re all practical

[@TheBenperri]

That’s amazing. And should be a lesson to Hollywood how good practical effects are.

[@asciiavatar]

Not only that, but the actors who played the Clickers are huge fans of the game, which also shows that if you get actors who know, understand and appreciate/love the material, it pays off.

[@LMarti13]

Damn, Hector NAILED the motivation behind Tess's behavior

[@stormcrowlu]

"Save who you can save" Man that hit me right in the feels.

[@Indioprophecy81]

The clickers scene perfectly represented my gameplay because I am bad as stealth. I love the changes in the show because it adds more context and give more depth to the story.

[@chimaxx]

The second game came out about 6 months into the COVID lockdown. There was controversy over some of its storytelling and choices, even from people who considered the first game a favorite. But separate from that, there were other people who had played the first but couldn't bring themselves to play the second game during the pandemic. So, yes, there is little doubt that our recent familiarity with the pandemic informs how we perceive the world the game is set in.

[@WheresWaldo05]

3 months

[@festioka]

Hi, Indonesians here, the woman who played Ibu Ratna as scientist is well known and respected Actress, maybe like our Meryl Streep. she began her career in 1973, played so many roles and won lot awards, as Indonesians we were proud not only that she got screen times, but also in one of the best game-adaptation series of all time. Props to the casting director who find Christin hakim and actually do research about her status as Actress, glad they didn't cast random people *sorry for my English, not the first language in our country

[@abcdefghi2749]

Craig Maizin and Neil Druckmann said during an interview in regards to the ending of this episode: "We wanted a chance to show a different result of being infected, which was not one of mere violence or horror, but rather a sick kind of community. Now, at the end, we had an opportunity to show how connected they were," he added, explaining the reason behind that horrifying 'kiss of death' and the fact that the infected are all part of a hive mind. Additionally, co-creator Neil Druckmann (who also wrote the game) explained to Entertainment Weekly that Tess' encounter with the infected in the show illustrates that "these things don't have to get violent unless you're fighting them from spreading [the infection] further."

[@iams1635]

It wasn’t CG, the actors who gave life to the Clickers, were also fans of the game so they understood te Clickers body language and they had prosthetic !!! Amazing!

[@iams1635]

@@manvirshergill1739 You are right, Misty Lee and Phil Kovats are the voices of Clickers in The Last of Us game, also reprising their roles as such in the tv show!

[@martinxy1291]

Honestly, she plays Elie very well form the first game. The little shit that made every loud noise conceivable and got me killed a dozen times.

[@HyperWolf]

And then she’d crouch on the wrong side of the table in the game 😂

[@hazri8758]

Christine Hakim and Yayu Unru. Legends of Indonesian cinema.

[@thedarkknight2221]

When I heard that the same people who worked on Chernobyl were going to work on TLOU the scene when the plant workers had to drain the tanks at the bottom floor of the plant immediately came to mind. I thought if they can make this scene incredibly nerve racking imagine what they could do with the clickers. Even though I played the game and knew how it would go I was somehow even MORE terrified than when I played the game! It’s the scene I’ve been most anticipating to see the reactions of people who have not played the game or know anything about the clickers. As for Tess’ ending, I think it was actually done better than the game. The scene of the mycelium (the fungal threads) going into her mouth was incredibly disgusting but the look in her eye when it happened showed that even though she was about to turn into one of them she managed used that iron will of hers to force herself through those last seconds before turning to burn them all. Stand and applaud for Anna Torv everyone!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@Dhbdhjdbd]

Fun Fact: This episode was directed by Neil Druckmann, the director of The Last of Us games

[@lilogden]

Tess dies at the same point in the game. But rather than infected storming the building, Its FEDRA soldiers coming to kill them, tess stands her ground but gets gunned down. This adaptation of her death is a great alternative!

[@jubilantsleep]

I was so mad they were making this beautiful video game a tv show till I heard about the cast. This game means so much to me and they’re being so respectful to it. I’m not used to this ❤ Their performances are 👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾

[@matt.dufault9966]

Clickers are not CGI by the way. They released a behind the scenes that showed off the prosthetics.

[@NickyBlack24]

Some parts are cgi tho, like when Joel was reloading his rifle. Shi looks craaaazy tho

[@rileysevern1968]

“It’s clicking” Yep, and that my friend is what’s referred to as a clicker😂

[@legendswarble2845]

I would say that after living through a pandemic, the show feels a lot more personal in the fear it creates. Before, I think it was a creative spin on your classic zombie apocalypse, but it was like any other tragedy that you know has real-world roots but have never experienced before. It's very different seeing something from afar or as a hypothetical than living through it looking it and its consequences in the eye.

[@Haunt1013]

To Agustin’s question at the end, I first played THE LAST OF US the summer of 2020. I don’t know why I’d put off playing the game before then (the game originally came out in 2013), but for some reason, in the craziness of a brand new pandemic, immersion therapy was my unique coping mechanism, and I decided to finally check out this game everyone loved about a post-apocalyptic plague. I was INSTANTLY emotionally devastated…and hooked for life. I’m a rabid (no pun) fan of the entire series, have played and replayed both games and the DLC multiple times, and watched scores of play through and reaction videos. As strange as it sounds, the trauma and, more importantly, HEART of the games genuinely did get me through the living nightmare that has been the past 2+ years. I think the HBO series is absolutely KILLING it, and I continue to love watching the three of you experience this story and these characters that have meant and continue to mean so very much to me.

[@omicron5128]

The actors who played the role as the Clickers are the same people who did the motion capture for the Game

[@MegapixelsofFun]

@Heroes Reforged This was filmed in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and surrounding areas which happens to be my home town, I got to meet Pedro Pascal and see a bunch of the sets around town and was one of the extras in the Boston Quarantine area and dead infected.

[@sample.text.]

I sat through the sponsor because you guys had the decency to not let it interrupt the video.

[@HeroesReforged]

Appreciate you.

[@helinituhhh]

"She about to drop some truth bombs" the timing, Hector lol💀

[@jayceburress7604]

The little jump scare Hector pulled was amazing 🤣🤣🤣

[@hoss4774]

"Inside a library Hector?" took me the fuck out

[@XxBlade.88401]

"Inside a library Hector!" Lol🤣🤣🤣

[@VC-id1ho]

I absolutely freaking love you guys!! I loved watching this video, I felt like I was part of the group there watching it with you guys.

[@MichaelROLeary]

This is for narrative locale (not actual filming locations) nerds but if you're curious about the geography of this episode in terms of Boston: Starting from the hotel where they were overlooking the infected writhing on the ground was Faneuil Hall Marketplace - there's no hotel right where they were on the balcony, that's just more shops but yeah they're on the east side of FH. That marketplace spans about 600 feet. After that, the museum - which represents The Old State House - is another half of a standard city block, another 450 or so. From there, the current Massachusetts State House is another full standard city block farther - or about 1000 feet. The whole journey in this one is what would be roughly a 15 minute walk IRL.

[@senbujohns4489]

Bruh that last infected was like "Hey shawty you come here often ?"

[@RitwiK15]

I have played this game but still the episode had me so much engaged and on the edge of my seat during the climax scene like i was watching this for the first time the production team is doing a magnificent job on these episodes the stress was at the peak not gonna lie the moments felt way scarier than the game and the opening sequence wow enough to send shivers down your spine.

[@ledgcredits]

it's not CG at all, it's all the actors and the prosthetics :) they had movement coaches and learned how to imitate the clickers moves and also the sounds as well

[@matthewwilshaw3569]

“Can’t you find a fucking boat” “…….inside a library hector?” 😂

[@canadianrage5224]

Great video, loved your reactions! Just a heads up, clickers are infected who have lasted longer then a year, and the thing that approached Tess I believe was a stalker. They’re infected who’ve been around for over a few weeks, and they still have their eyesight although typically don’t run as fast as runners. Therefore they lurk and quietly stalk survivors before striking.

[@rhonita]

The woman who acted at the beginning of the episode is Christine Hakim, one of the most prominent actors in Indonesia. I am happy that you are happy with her performance.

[@tokeytime7432]

Uh I never really comment but I've been a big fan of you guys for awhile. Loving the Last of Us reactions a lot. You guys put out solid content quickly with quality. Appreciate it, have a good one!

[@HeroesReforged]

Thank you so much!

[@edwinchrisverde5625]

In the game Tess gets shot from the military in the building as they’re talking between the 3. they changed her death but I think with this death, she went out like a g. better than just getting shot. the make out thing was strange but regardless great episode. The shot of them looking at the view before coming down the ladder is 100% shot for shot from the game. Moving through the water was as well and Ellie joking about the luggage was accurate as well. Tess being lifted by Joel is gameplay accuracy, her unlocking the door from other side is accurate. Museum is accurate. only difference is before going to museum, they actually go into the towers and find the clickers there then escape to the final location. I think the next thing I wanna see Joel actually choking a clicker out and seeing the stealth from the game. not too much but just a bit. Shivs I would like to make an appearance which unlock secret, locked doors with items. The black bandage was a nice nod to the crafting. it’s fucking awesome man and what’s gonna happen next is going to be dope.

[@BlackWACat]

it’s close to the same death, she stays behind to fight off the military and kills two before she is shot to death i don’t mind the change, i just forgot she dies so early into the story tbh

[@insomniacg]

There's an official companion podcast with Neil Druckmann, Craig Mazin, and hosted by Joel's original actor (would highly recommend, it doesn't contain future spoilers) where they've talked pretty extensively about how much they had to alter the framing because the audience now understands our own pandemic. Stuff like adding the very first scene with John Hannah where they really differentiate the fungi from how covid functions, it's super interesting

[@NuKnightRider]

The “walking around for 20 years” is a reference/hint to the Rat King variant from Part 2

[@CurlSef]

The clickers were actually practical which is awesome! They said in the aftershow that they got fans of the game that really knew the movement of the clickers down to a T to play them in the show.

[@JorbyTinky]

They didn't find fans specifically. The performers that were used happened to be fans of the games

[@shinatsuji7503]

They changed the spores clouds into a hive mind mentality which is more scary to be honest.

[@MavenCree]

The Pandy definitely had an impact. It's like one of the reasons people (me included) had a problem with the end of Man of Steel. The two flying guys crashing into and collapsing buildings... Once that would be okay. But it's post 9/11. You can't just collapse buildings (knowing there are people in there) and just move on to the next scene like it's nothing... or like... share a kiss among the rubble...

[@keeganbate8935]

7:35 "oh now I'm gonna control this girl and all I can do is climb and jump" Spiderman PS4 jfc

[@The_Jedi_Teacher]

Stress watching is the only way to describe this show. After the museum scene, I realized I was clenching my jaw the whole time and my face hurt. This show is causing me physical pain. Thanks Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann!

[@Marthentic]

I love watching this show with you guys because its all new to you. Seeing how you react to the crazy twist and turns is awesome!

[@beee462]

As someone who has played the game, the pandemic didn't really influence how I am perceiving the tv show. What is influencing how I perceive the story is the science. For the show, they really took a deep dive into science and use that to explain how the infection started, and how the fungus has evolved. The fungus in question is real. The story of the fungus being underground that stretches for miles so the fungus can communicate, like a hive mind, is real. How the fungus jumped to humans using flour as a conduit, can happen (the first episode did focus a lot on flour, the neighbor eating biscuits, Joel and Sarah not having pancakes). We didn't get that level of info in the game so this show is hitting me different due to the science, in a very good way. Great reaction guys! Can't wait for the next episode!

[@AllInTheGame01]

10:25 & 19:14; LOL! Yet another confident & self-assured cold open! Have loved Anna Torv in Fringe, The Pacific, Mindhunter, The Newsreader and now TLOU - sad to lose her this early :(

[@juicem25]

Great reactions so far! Been enjoying the videos! To answer some questions you had: 1) The clickers were prosthetics, not CG. The “inside the episode” on HBO Max’s channel shows them in detail. 2) Tess’ role in the game is the exact same. She dies in this same place but is killed by FEDRA instead of sacrificing herself to wipe out that hoard. IMO, the show’s depiction of Tess’ death is much more impactful 3) I feel that the pandemic happening has definitely elevated the horror and experience people have with the show, especially those who haven’t interacted with the IP before. But, I still think it would be a huge hit without the pandemic since the game was such a hit back in 2013. Can’t wait to see your reaction to the next episode!

[@kildeer]

4) headshots aren't necessary to kill infected, at least not in the games. If it's the same in the show, these aren't typical zombies, they actually require the host to keep functioning, the fungus is only controlling the brain, it can't make the body move. So regular human fatal wounds will kill infected, though obviously waiting for them to bleed out isn't usually an option, hitting any other vital organ usually works.

[@gengenwar7257]

Watching Hector watch this might just be my favourite thing.

[@jdkalantar]

Hector scaring Adam killed me hahaha a great reaction as always homies!

[@karinaarias2665]

The mouth fibers/tendrils give me such a sick feeling. Enoki mushrooms and glass noodles are off the menu for now.

[@Evil_Vegan]

3:26 Hector: "She's about to drop some... truth bombs" you forgot "no pun intended" 😭 4:12 Also Hector: "Every actor in that opening scene was like stellar" Christine Hakim is a seasoned/celebrated actor, pretty much the Indonesian Meryl

[@chengkuoklee5734]

I heard that gamers enjoy this show more than non-gamers and this show has way way realism based on nature, turning "fun guy" into not so fun guy. I will watch this reaction next month to not get spoiled.

[@Aishakenya824]

If up until this point you haven’t subscribed to Heroes Reforged Patreon, the time is NOW!!! Watching these reactions to Last of Us, uncut has been so much fun!!! On a side note…this episode validates the argument these are not zombies at all. Once your taken by the fungus your technically still alive and can live for years under its control. I’m hoping every episode they go back to the beginning of the outbreak and give us more and more details on how it started. They are doing such a phenomenal job with the adaptation thus far 🙌🏾

[@Zminator2007]

13:30 it is all practically. That is the art and costume department doing a phenomenal job with research, and the actors having to have played the video to know that creature to act them. *chef's kisses*

[@theoriginalspur]

I believe I'm one of many who actually held their breath when the clickers came through as if I'm the room too. 😂

[@Timelapse1398]

I held my breath and didn't move at first in reaction to the initial sound of the clicker. I was so invested, just waiting for the first look.

[@RitwiK15]

Lol i thought i was the only one who was feeling this, the intensity of these moments are really stressful man i wasn't scared that much playing the game as i was watching this episode

[@miroh8]

the clickers are prosthetics not cgi, and the sounds are human voices, they actually got the same voice actors from the games to do the clicker noises

[@pillsburryDoughFun]

To be honest Tess is just standing there because the fungi was taking over. I’m listening to the companion HBO LOU podcast. The director/writer/creator stated that Tess was fighting the fungi but it was taking over. Her slowing down flicking the lighter. Then at the last second she fought back and one last flick lit it. She then closed her eyes and gave into the fungi. 😢😢 I want to say it was a sadder ending than in the game.

[@thomasalexander9978]

I love you guys SO much... I don't have the largest of friend bases and most of them aren't really into the kinds of entertainment I enjoy, they tend to be sports minded or into talking about bit coin and nfts. But, for a few minutes at least once a week, I get to sit down with three guys who look a lot like me and enjoy the stuff I do and have some truly great interactions while they react in much the same ways I did watching the same content. I wish I was in a place financially that I could afford to hit the Patreon and buy some merch already... hopefully, soon, though. Thanks for representing for the brown-skinned nerds and cinephiles out here!

[@courtneylasker304]

Great reaction and I love the “Directed by Bryce Dallas Howard” t-shirt.

[@Frostbite08]

The game hit everyone super hard as soon as it came out. Replaying it or watching this show after COVID just adds a new layer.

[@HyperWolf]

Especially the moments where you’d doubt someone might do something as dumb in real life…

[@mxnstrs3285]

Okay, now that I've watched this, to answer your question: Playing this originally in 2014, I enjoyed how real the fungal infection *could* take place, but I didn't think twice about it. Watching this show AFTER the pandemic hit? I feel like that DEFINITELY had an impact, and between the game changing the year from 2013 to 2003 (the year that was recorded as the hottest on record for the world, thus forcing the fungi to evolve) so that modern day is set in our time today...it has a MUCH more real emotional tie to it. We had our own pandemic, something they actually referenced in the opening of the first episode (which we all chuckled at because we knew it was a nod to covid), and Neil Druckmann (creator of the franchise, and the person who directed this specific episode) took that concept and said "What if we did have a pandemic, but it was fungal instead? How would people react? What would we do?" Him and Craig Mazin, as well as all the actors, extras, everyone that worked on shooting the show, as well as the post-production crew have done an amazing job bringing this to life while also keeping it extremely grounded in reality. It gives people like me who have played and fell in love with the game a tense feeling of unease despite knowing what may possibly happen, while catering to the entertainment of those who have never experienced the horrors that are seen in this game. I'm so excited to be with y'all on this journey.

[@hectorminator]

We're excited to have you join us! Thanks for watching.

[@DatDudeJakeC]

I totally agree with Agustin’s point. Especially the cold opens of both the episodes, hit so much harder due to global warming/climate change and the pandemic. I played both of the games for the first time back in September (amazing btw, totally give Part I a shot after you watch season one of the show). The show has done an incredible job expanding upon the game, without taking away from the foundations that the game has set up. Neil Druckman and Craig Mazin are doing a phenomenal job so far.

[@qdkdicja10]

15:39 Oh my god that’s so stupid, and I laughed so hard 😂 I was so on edge after the Clicker scene that I kept silently yelling at the characters (=in my head) like a paranoid maniac… For instance, I was like 120% sure that a zombie was gonna pop into existence and grab Tess(that’s her name, right?) from the window & try to drag her inside or something…

[@irishgamerkerrielouise]

No CGI the Clickers were full costumes and headpieces. look up the making of pics. It's amazing.

[@chrisbeaudoin1852]

I'm pretty sure they filmed on location in Boston because I recognize the state house and the Isabella Stewart Garner museum

[@chillslug]

I think the head of the clickers is completely practical but they cgi'd the body to make them skinnier

[@rafaelchavarria9647]

that scare at 10:30 even got me LOL....

[@DrexPlays]

they are 2/2 on these cold openings. best part of both episodes for me so far

[@jinthao00]

9:27 My absolute favorite part of this episode. As a gamer, we control characters, in this case Joel mostly, and adaptations do not get this right (besides the little silly 1st POV in Doom). You don't ever feel immersed in the story. But this part feels like both a tutorial and just a normal part of this world. I immediately got the feeling that I was Joel and the two of them were moving right behind me.